Richmond: Man shot and killed in city's 18th slaying this year

RICHMOND -- A man who stepped outside Wednesday night to make a phone call was shot and killed, police said Thursday.

Police said the 32-year-old man was gunned down in the 2800 block of McBryde Avenue at about 10:20 p.m. He was visiting friends in the area, French said, but the shooting does not appear to be a random one.

"He appears to have been an intended target," Richmond police Lt. Bisa French said. "We do know that a car was seen leaving the area, but we don't have a description on it."

Investigators believe the shooter may have been on foot when shots were fired, and then fled into a waiting car, French said.

There have been 18 homicides in Richmond so far this year -- six less than the city's 24 total slayings in 2011. Anyone with information is asked to call Richmond police at 510-233-1214.

Rick Hurd covers breaking news. Contact him at 510-262-2728 and follow him at Twitter.com/3rdERH.